The 5th Asia Harm Reduction Forum held at Manila Hotel over the weekend called on governments across Asia to reduce the harm caused by unsafe tobacco products as provided for in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates issued a declaration during the forum calling on governments to adopt science-based regulatory frameworks on the manufacture, importation, sale and consumption of tobacco alternatives like vapes and other electronic devices.

Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines and Vapers Philippines also called for the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations for the use of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products following the lapsing into law of the Vape Act.

The groups said in the forum that they are being "marginalized, ignored, denigrated, and attacked, our choices restricted, and our rights denied."

"It is very ironic because while the government is taking all the necessary steps to reduce the health risks caused by cigarette smoking, they are also throwing all the stumbling blocks to discourage people to access safer alternatives such as vapes and e-cigarettes," vaping proponent Peter Dator said.

"We really hope that regulatory policies on IRR of the new Vape Law would be crafted to encourage people to adopt safer alternatives to stop smoking," he added.